'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.1

[ellipsis7]

Shimizu practiced most of the techniques of "neo-realism" well before this movement was "invented" in Italy. ;~}

Fascinating... How did this manifest itself when he worked with Japanese subject matter? (Again, excuse my ignorance)....

[Michael Kerpan]

Shimizu preferred location shooting -- and used non-actors to a considerable extent when working on location for an extended basis. He did not use non-actors as leads (or primary supporting cast members), but integrated the professionals and amateurs very well. You can see this in his Arigato-san (Mr. Thank You) to some extent. Maybe we need a topic devoted to Shimizu in the Film Makers thread. ;~}

Unfortunately, Keiko McDonald was not able to get her Shimizu book published prior to her untimely and unexpected death. I'm not sure if she had finished this or not.

[BrightEyes23]

Of note are the prints courtesy of Criterion/Janus and (unfortunately) which are from NYer)

NYer
Taboo (Gohatto)
The Battle of Tokyo: The Man Who Left His Will on Film (Tokyo-Sense Sengo Hiwa)
Death by Hanging (Koshikei)
Dear Summer Sister (Natsu No Imoto)
Diary of Yunbogi (Yunbogi no Nikki)

Criterion
The Empire of Passion (Ai No Borei)
In the Realm of the Senses (Ai No Corrida)
Japanese Summer: Double Suicide (Muri-Shinju: Nihon No Natsu)
Violence at Noon (Hakuchu No Torima)
Pleasures of the Flesh (Etsuraku)
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Senjo no merii kurisumasu)

[Bete_Noire]

The image quality on the NYer DVD of Taboo is quite good, from what I remember. I own it, so perhaps I should double-check.

[Dante Vescio]

Speaking of japanese cinema, do you suppose Criterion will ever come back to the genius work of Kihachi Okamoto?
A release of The Age of Assassins would be my Criterion dream come true, just to name one... all of his films are brilliant.

[Cinephrenic]

Speaking of japanese cinema, do you suppose Criterion will ever come back to the genius work of Kihachi Okamoto?
A release of The Age of Assassins would be my Criterion dream come true, just to name one... all of his films are brilliant.

It's possible, but probably not a immediate priority as far as anything Japonisme on DVD. On the same note, I'm curious about seeing The Human Bullet get a release, Criterion or not.

[GringoTex]

I think it's only in the age of mass media that Marienbad could be treated seriously.

[Steven H]

I big box-set of Okamoto's comedies would make me a very happy camper. Age of Assassins, Human Bullet, The Elegant Life Of Mr Everyman, and Oh Bomb! all wrapped up together would be hilarious and would win over almost any film lover who watched.

[fiddlesticks]

May we expect this enigmatic masterwork, a conundrum in a dream, among the titles to come? Some consider Resnais' achievement to be an empty chamber, replete with a subtle, unsolvable symbolism....I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of its images, its shifting sense of perspectives, an entrancing (and also oppressive) sense of place, as well as its sublimely self-aware status as a cinematic artifact....

Until I saw the subject line, I was sure you were talking about Porky's.

[MyNameCriterionForum]

I think it's only in the age of mass media that Marienbad could be treated seriously.

Beg pardon?

[GringoTex]

I think it's only in the age of mass media that Marienbad could be treated seriously.

Beg pardon?

Failed joke. Please ignore.

[Dante Vescio]

Speaking of japanese cinema, do you suppose Criterion will ever come back to the genius work of Kihachi Okamoto?
A release of The Age of Assassins would be my Criterion dream come true, just to name one... all of his films are brilliant.

It's possible, but probably not a immediate priority as far as anything Japonisme on DVD. On the same note, I'm curious about seeing The Human Bullet get a release, Criterion or not.

The Human Bullet is a great, great movie, although The Age of Assassins is my favorite Okamoto of all.

[dx23]

From thedigitalbits.com:

While we're on the subject of Criterion today, we've learned that the first wave of catalog titles by legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa has just been announced for release on Blu-ray Disc in Japan. Rashomon, Ran, Madadayo and The Quiet Duel are all expected on 2/6/09 in a box set from Jesnet. So how does this relate to Criterion? Well, Criterion owns the U.S. release rights to many of the Kurosawa films, and was involved in the new HD transfers. So it's likely that we'll start to see some of them released on Blu-ray by Criterion here in the States next year as well. Here's the page over at CD Japan where the titles are listed, though keep in mind that the Japanese discs will likely NOT have English subtitles (so you don't want to go importing them unless you're fluent with Japanese - just wait for the eventual U.S. releases). We'll look into this and keep you up to date as any U.S. release news becomes available.

[aox]

I can't imagine how spectacular the picture and colors of Ran will look in HD.

[Tommaso]

"Quiet Duel" and "Madadayo" are a rather surprising choice for a 'first wave' of Kurosawa BluRays, though it's good to see someone acknowledges the tiny little masterpiece that "Duel" really is. But as for US releases, both "Duel" and "Madadayo" are not with Criterion, at least for SD, though I keep my fingers crossed that CC might at least get the rights for "Madadayo" now, and release the film in BOTH formats. It really needs a watchable edition.

[Dr. Mabuse]

I might be wrong, but I thought Peerpee said in another thread that the japanese insist on a 6-months windows between Japan and other countries.
Late 2009 or earlier 2010 at the earliest is my best guess.

[Antoine Doinel]

I would assume a late '09 boxset release, just in time for Christmas, and especially when BD players are going to be even cheaper.

[StevenJ0001]

I remember reading that The Weinstein Company was going to release Madadayo. It hasn't transpired so far, so I hope it ends up in the CC.

[Harmonov]

Any thought on any Woody Allen pictures making it into the Collection? Something like Deconstructing Harry?

I recall a brief exchange about his films a little while ago, with Annie Hall being raised since it was in the Collection as a laserdisc. I'd love to see some represented in the Collection.

[kaujot]

Allen doesn't allow any supplements on his the DVDs of his films. There's no reason for Criterion to put them out.

[StevenJ0001]

There's no reason for Criterion to put them out.

Except the fact that the R1 disc of Annie Hall is terrible. There was a time when Criterion simply put out beautiful editions of films, with or without supplements. I know, that was the LD era, things have changed.

[Cinephrenic]

Allen doesn't allow any supplements on his the DVDs of his films. There's no reason for Criterion to put them out.

Haven't you heard, Woody wants his stuff on Eclipse.

[Zazou dans le Metro]

From Mr Mulvaney - Port of Shadows will be back in stock soonest but no other Carne planned.
(Posted as a follow up in the poorly represented directors in R1 also).

[Le Samouraï]

What about Le jour se lève?